On their own, alcoholism and narcissism can be extremely disruptive, both to people who have the conditions and to those who care about them. But what happens if a person has both conditions at the same time? What does it mean to be an alcoholic narcissist?
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Defining Alcoholism
To fully grasp what it means to be an alcoholic narcissist, you first have to understand the characteristics of the two components that contribute to this designation: alcoholism and narcissism.
We’ll begin with a quick review of alcoholism.
The fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) includes 11 criteria for alcohol use disorder, which is the clinical term for alcoholism. A person may be diagnosed with mild alcohol use disorder if they meet at least two of these criteria:
- Having strong urges to drink
- Often drinking more or for a longer period of time than they originally intended
- Having a repeated desire and/or multiple failed attempts to quit drinking
- Devoting considerable amounts of time to activities related to acquiring, using, and recovering from the effects of alcohol
- Continuing to drink after having a medical or mental health problem that was either caused or worsened by their prior use of alcohol
- Continuing to drink after going through some type of interpersonal or social problem that was either caused or worsened by their prior alcohol use
- Frequently using alcohol in circumstances that are clearly hazardous, such as drinking while using other drugs or drinking and driving
- Neglecting their responsibilities at home, in school, or at work because of their drinking
- Reducing or ending their participation in important activities due to their alcohol use
- Developing tolerance, or needing to drink more than they used to in order to feel alcohol’s effects
- Having withdrawal symptoms when they try to curtail their alcohol use
Someone who meets four or five of these criteria would meet the requirements for a diagnosis of moderate alcohol use disorder. Anyone who has six or more of the symptoms above would be classified as having severe alcohol use disorder.
Understanding Narcissism
The term narcissism originated with Narcissus, a figure from Greek mythology who drowned after falling in love with his own reflection in a pool of water.
In everyday conversations, narcissism is often used as a synonym for excessive self-interest or egocentrism. But from a clinical perspective, someone who exhibits these characteristics may have a condition called narcissistic personality disorder (NPD).
The DSM-5 includes nine criteria for NPD. To be accurately diagnosed with this condition, a person must meet at least five of these criteria:
- Having a grandiose sense of self-importance, which may involve exaggerating their achievements or talents
- Being preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, and related traits
- Believing that they are truly “special” and can only be understood by others of a similarly lofty status
- Requiring excessive, ongoing admiration
- Having unreasonable expectations that they should receive favorable treatment or that their wishes should be immediately complied with
- Manipulating or taking advantage of others to achieve their own goals
- Being unwilling or unable to acknowledge the feelings and needs of others
- Often exhibiting jealousy toward others or believing that others are jealous of them
- Displaying arrogance in their interactions with others
How to Identify an Alcoholic Narcissist
Many people who have become addicted to alcohol go to great lengths to hide evidence of their condition. Over time, though, it can be virtually impossible to drink compulsively without loved ones realizing there’s a problem.
While narcissism is, by definition, characterized by how a person relates to others, symptoms of that condition are less likely to be hidden.
However, since both conditions can cause a range of symptoms – and those symptoms can vary in severity – identifying an alcoholic narcissist isn’t always as easy as it might first appear.
Generally speaking, though, signs that may indicate that someone has both alcohol use disorder and narcissistic personality disorder include:
- When asked about their drinking by a friend or family member, they may deny that they have a problem and instead accuse their loved one of attacking them or treating them unfairly.
- They may also respond to any attempted discussions of their drinking habits or other problems with aggressiveness, verbally attacking and attempting to belittle the person who is trying to help them.
- Though they outwardly exhibit a sense of supreme self-confidence, they may be using alcohol as a way to cope with – or numb themselves to – persistent feelings of inadequacy.
- When their drinking causes problems that cannot be ignored, they may attempt to dodge responsibility either by claiming they were victimized or by blaming someone else.
- Due to their lack of empathy, they are unlikely to be motivated to rein in their drinking due to the harm it is inflicting on their partner, their children, or others who care about or depend upon them.
The co-occurrence of alcoholism and narcissism can also erode a person’s ability to understand that they need help:
- While denial is common among people who become addicted to alcohol, most people who drink compulsively eventually acknowledge that they have problem.
- A narcissist’s belief in their own superiority, combined with their deep fear of revealing any vulnerability, makes it highly unlikely that they will voluntarily admit that they need help.
Get Help for Alcoholism in Atlanta
Treating someone with both alcoholism and narcissism is difficult but not impossible.
Valor Behavioral Health is a trusted source of customized outpatient programming for people who have become addicted to alcohol and other drugs, and who also have narcissistic personality disorder or other co-occurring mental health concerns.
Treatment options at our rehab in Atlanta, GA, include a partial hospitalization program (PHP), an intensive outpatient program (IOP), a virtual (online) IOP, and an adolescent program.
To learn more about how we can help you or a loved one, or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Admissions page or call us today.
